Yes, you can get food on the Shinkansen, but the experience has changed significantly in 2026. On major lines like the Tokaido Shinkansen, traditional trolley service (cart sales) has been largely discontinued in Ordinary Class to reduce labor costs. Instead, passengers are encouraged to buy Ekiben (station lunch boxes) at the terminal before boarding. These boxes are a cultural staple, featuring local specialties like Wagyu beef in Yonezawa or seafood in Niigata. In 2026, some Shinkansen lines allow you to order snacks and drinks via a QR code on your seat, which are then delivered by staff, but this is often limited to Green Car (First Class) passengers. On the newer Hokuriku and Tohoku lines, you can still find coffee and light snack vending machines in certain cars. It is perfectly acceptable—and highly common—to bring your own food and even alcohol onto the train. In fact, enjoying a cold beer and a gourmet Ekiben while watching the Japanese countryside fly by at 300 km/h is considered one of the quintessential "bullet train" experiences for both locals and tourists alike.